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Idaho National Laboratory

All articles tagged with #idaho national laboratory

energy24 days ago•16 min saved

DOE's Atlas Railcar to Haul First Spent Nuclear Fuel Cask to Idaho by Late 2027

The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing to transport its first spent nuclear fuel cask via the custom-built Atlas railcar, with the shipment expected in late 2027. The 78-foot, 12-axle vehicle was engineered to distribute weight more evenly than standard freight cars, allowing it to carry heavy casks while maintaining lower per-axle pressure than adjacent buffer cars. Idaho is currently refurbishing rail lines at the Idaho National Laboratory to receive the cargo, which will be used for high-burnup fuel research.

via Autonocion.com|

#atlas-railcar #doe #energy

science2 months ago•21 min saved

NASA sets 2028 target for nuclear-electric propulsion demo after Idaho lab visit

NASA officials, after touring Idaho National Laboratory where the mission’s reactor is being built, remain confident in launching a nuclear electric propulsion demonstration by the end of 2028.

via SpaceNews|

#2028 #idaho-national-laboratory #nasa

technology4 months ago•5 min saved

Private microreactor reaches critical milestone, accelerating U.S. nuclear roadmap

The Energy Department says Antares Nuclear’s microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory has reached criticality, marking the first private company to achieve this milestone under a Trump-era pilot program to accelerate advanced reactors. Antares aims to begin electricity generation by late 2027 and deploy systems by 2028, as regulators push to speed development amid ongoing safety debates and a broader push to expand U.S. nuclear power.

via PBS|

#antares-nuclear #criticality #idaho-national-laboratory

science4 months ago•11 min saved

First TRISO-based small modular reactor reaches criticality in test

Antares' Mark 0 small modular reactor, based on TRISO fuel, reached criticality at Idaho National Laboratory—the first new nuclear design to do so under a DOE push to accelerate development. The test is non-power-generating and aims to validate physics and safety data for licensing; full power generation is expected next year, with DoD’s Project Pele and NASA backing the effort.

via Ars Technica|

#antares #criticality #idaho-national-laboratory

technology4 months ago•3 min saved

Antares Mark-0 Reaches Criticality, Jump-Starting U.S. Nuclear Renaissance

The DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program marks a milestone as Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 advanced non-light-water reactor completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory, signaling progress toward 2027 electricity generation and NRC licensure amid a broader push to revive the U.S. nuclear industry.

via Department of Energy (.gov)|

#advanced-reactor #idaho-national-laboratory #mark-0

space-exploration2 years ago•6 min saved

"Idaho Scientists Could Help NASA's Urgent Mission to Mars"

NASA is working on developing nuclear thermal propulsion technology to cut the travel time to Mars in half, with a goal of reaching the planet by 2040. Engineers at the Idaho National Laboratory are leading a nationwide team of scientists to enhance the capabilities of this technology. The longer journey to Mars poses logistical challenges and risks for astronauts, including exposure to microgravity and radiation. China is also working on its own nuclear propulsion project and has plans for a manned mission to Mars in the mid-2030s.

via Phys.org|

#china #idaho-national-laboratory #mars